History Main / MembershipToken

* In Don Pendleton's ''Literature/TheExecutioner'' stories, top Mafia enforcers used aces (playing cards) to identify themselves to other Mafia members. Unfortunatly Mack Bolan finds out and often poses as a Black Ace himself.

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* In Don Pendleton's ''Literature/TheExecutioner'' stories, top Mafia enforcers used aces (playing cards) to identify themselves to other Mafia members. Unfortunatly Unfortunately Mack Bolan finds out and often poses as a Black Ace himself.

* In Don Pendleton's ''Literature/TheExecutioner'' stories, top Mafia enforcers used aces (playing cards) to identify themselves to other Mafia members.

to:

* In Don Pendleton's ''Literature/TheExecutioner'' stories, top Mafia enforcers used aces (playing cards) to identify themselves to other Mafia members. Unfortunatly Mack Bolan finds out and often poses as a Black Ace himself.

* The {{Animorphs}} once run into a detachment of Hork-Bajir guards wearing blue armbands, fittingly called the elite Blue Band Squadron. In a later mission, Tobias notes Marco's shirt is the same color, so they rip it up and wear the bands in Hork-Bajir morph. Every Controller stays well out of their way.

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* The {{Animorphs}} Literature/{{Animorphs}} once run into a detachment of Hork-Bajir guards wearing blue armbands, fittingly called the elite Blue Band Squadron. In a later mission, Tobias notes Marco's shirt is the same color, so they rip it up and wear the bands in Hork-Bajir morph. Every Controller stays well out of their way.

[[folder:Fan Works]]* In ''Fanfic/OnePieceTwoPieceRedPieceBluePiece'', all the members of the Straw Hat Pirates ([[spoiler:[[HonoraryTrueCompanion and Vivi]]]]) have tattoos based on the Straw Hat Jolly Roger.[[/folder]]

* In ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena,'' the ring with the rose crest instantly identifies Utena as a Rose Duelist to her fellow Duelists, and [[CoolKey allows entry]] to the Secret Forest. But Utena herself no knowledge of the purpose of the ring; she had been carrying it for years as a [[MementoMacGuffin memento of her prince]], who said it would [[BatmanGambit lead her back to him]]. Though the the true meaning of the ring is... [[{{Deconstruction}} complicated]].

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[[folder: Anime ]]

[[folder:Anime]]* In ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena,'' the ring with the rose crest instantly identifies Utena as a Rose Duelist to her fellow Duelists, and [[CoolKey allows entry]] to the Secret Forest. But Utena herself no knowledge of the purpose of the ring; she had been carrying it for years as a [[MementoMacGuffin memento of her prince]], who said it would [[BatmanGambit lead her back to him]]. Though the the true meaning of the ring is... [[{{Deconstruction}} complicated]].complicated.

** In ForgottenRealms the Harpers have a symbol they use to identify each other: a small silver harp. After the Moonstars did split off, they use their own variant of the same. Cormyr has Purple Dragons' rings and commanders' rings that (aside of minor magics) allow access to restricted and magically protected areas, like the armory in Purple Dragons' barracks. Of course, these items are badges of service and possession of one by someone not entitled to this is a crime.

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** In ForgottenRealms ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms the Harpers have a symbol they use to identify each other: a small silver harp. After the Moonstars did split off, they use their own variant of the same. Cormyr has Purple Dragons' rings and commanders' rings that (aside of minor magics) allow access to restricted and magically protected areas, like the armory in Purple Dragons' barracks. Of course, these items are badges of service and possession of one by someone not entitled to this is a crime.

* A minor GottaCatchEmAll sidequest in ''Franchise/MassEffect'' had you searching the galaxy for medallions belonging to members of the League Of One, a Salarian precurser to the Spectres.

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[[folder: Video Games ]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* A minor GottaCatchEmAll sidequest in ''Franchise/MassEffect'' ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' had you searching the galaxy for medallions belonging to members of the League Of One, a Salarian precurser salarian precursor to the Spectres.

* ''Call Of Cthulhu'' supplement ''The Asylum and Other Tales'', adventure "The Asylum". Freygan's cultists have recognition symbols: small stones with thongs for wearing around the neck. They are rarely used since all nearby cult members know each other by sight.* Dungeons And Dragons. AD&D 2 ed. has some spells working via designated tokens -- including "pass-cards" for warding spells and focus for mass [[DoppelgangerSpin mirror image]].

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* ''Call Of Cthulhu'' ''TabletopGame/CallOfCthulhu'' supplement ''The Asylum and Other Tales'', adventure "The Asylum". Freygan's cultists have recognition symbols: small stones with thongs for wearing around the neck. They are rarely used since all nearby cult members know each other by sight.* Dungeons And Dragons.TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons. AD&D 2 ed. has some spells working via designated tokens -- including "pass-cards" for warding spells and focus for mass [[DoppelgangerSpin mirror image]].

Why, then you need a MembershipToken! This token is something discreet, yet distinctive, that you use to identify yourself to your fellows but isn't readily familiar to outsiders. It might be some rare or specific item (possibly even some sort of MacGuffin) that not just anyone would have, or something more common but otherwise difficult to get, such as one of a relatively small set of coins with a distinct design.

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Why, then you need a MembershipToken! Membership Token! This token is something discreet, yet distinctive, that you use to identify yourself to your fellows but isn't readily familiar to outsiders. It might be some rare or specific item (possibly even some sort of MacGuffin) that not just anyone would have, or something more common but otherwise difficult to get, such as one of a relatively small set of coins with a distinct design.

* In the ''Film/WingCommander'' movie, Taggart is able to earn the trust of the ''[[CoolShip Tiger Claw's]]'' captain because he has [[spoiler:an [[MilitaryAcademy Annapolis]] class ring, from the [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo Class of 1942]], specifically a family heirloom of Admiral Tolwyn's, which he would not have parted with easily, indicating that Taggart held Tolwyn's implicit trust.]] Among the setting's Pilgrims, the Pilgrims' crosses serve the same purpose.

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* In the ''Film/WingCommander'' movie, Taggart is able to earn the trust of the ''[[CoolShip Tiger Claw's]]'' captain because he has [[spoiler:an [[MilitaryAcademy Annapolis]] class ring, from the [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarTwo [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII Class of 1942]], specifically a family heirloom of Admiral Tolwyn's, which he would not have parted with easily, indicating that Taggart held Tolwyn's implicit trust.]] Among the setting's Pilgrims, the Pilgrims' crosses serve the same purpose.

* Challenge Coins date back to a squadron of American pilots during WorldWarOne. One of the pilots, fairly well-off, decided to have a set of coins minted with their squadron's name on it for his squadron mates to have as keepsakes. One of these pilots was shot down, captured, and deprived of his military identification by German troops. An artillery barrage caused enough confusion for him to escape to the Allied lines, where he was able to prove his not being a German spy only by presenting his squadron's coin to the Allied troops. Ever since then, failure to present your coin when challenged results in a severe punishment. That is to say, you [[CoolAndUnusualPunishment buying beers for everybody who has their coins]]. Failing a "Coin Check" while in a large drinking establishment can become...expensive. You can be challenged at any time. Even when you're on the toilet or in the shower. It's [[SeriousBusiness sacred tradition]].

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* Challenge Coins date back to a squadron of American pilots during WorldWarOne.UsefulNotes/WorldWarI. One of the pilots, fairly well-off, decided to have a set of coins minted with their squadron's name on it for his squadron mates to have as keepsakes. One of these pilots was shot down, captured, and deprived of his military identification by German troops. An artillery barrage caused enough confusion for him to escape to the Allied lines, where he was able to prove his not being a German spy only by presenting his squadron's coin to the Allied troops. Ever since then, failure to present your coin when challenged results in a severe punishment. That is to say, you [[CoolAndUnusualPunishment buying beers for everybody who has their coins]]. Failing a "Coin Check" while in a large drinking establishment can become...expensive. You can be challenged at any time. Even when you're on the toilet or in the shower. It's [[SeriousBusiness sacred tradition]].

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